Synthesis of 1′-Deoxypsicofuranosyl-deoxynucleosides as Potential Anti-HIV Agents

Abstract

Various routes to the targets 1, 2, 3, 1-deoxy-psicofuranosyl nucleoside analogues related to anti-HIV agents, are reported. Two routes afforded their 6′-benzylated derivatives 9, 10 and 15. Only the epoxide 12 and deoxynucleosides 19 and 22 were able to be deprotected leading in the first case to 16 and its ring opening derivative 17 and in the second case to 20 and to the target 3.     

Theoretical mechanistic study of the reaction of the methylidyne radical with methylacetylene

A detailed doublet potential energy surface for the reaction of CH with CH₃CCH is investigated at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and G3B3 (single-point) levels. Various possible reaction pathways are probed. It is shown that the reaction is initiated by the addition of CH to the terminal C atom of CH₃CCH, forming CH₃CCHCH 1 (1a,1b). Starting from 1 (1a,1b), the most feasible pathway is the ring closure of 1a to CH₃–cCCHCH 2 followed by dissociation to P ₃ (CH₃–cCCCH+H), or a 2,3 H shift in 1a to form CH₃CHCCH 3 followed by C–H bond cleavage to form P ₅ (CH₂CHCCH+H), or a 1,2 H-shift in 1 (1a, 1b) to form CH₃CCCH₂ 4 followed by C–H bond fission to form P ₆ (CH₂CCCH₂+H). Much less competitively, 1 (1a,1b) can undergo 3,4 H shift to form CH₂CHCHCH 5. Subsequently, 5 can undergo either C–H bond cleavage to form P ₅ (CH₂CHCCH+H) or C–C bond cleavage to generate P ₇ (C₂H₂+C₂H₃). Our calculated results may represent the first mechanistic study of the CH + CH₃CCH reaction, and may thus lead to a deeper understanding of the title reaction.     

Synthesis of Optically Pure (R)-4a-Methyl-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-2(3H)-naphthalenone and Its Transformation into (+)-7-Hydroxycostal

A novel synthesis of the enone 12 starting from (+)-dihydrocarvone (3) and its transformation into (+)-7-hydroxycostal (1) are described. The ketone 10, obtained from 4 through a four-step sequence was converted to 12 by acid-catalyzed elimination and subsequent regioselective hydrogenation. Alternatively, the methoxyhydroperoxide 13 generated by the ozonolysis of 4 was subjected to the Criegee rearrangement, providing a mixture of 10 and 14, which on acid treatment, gave 11. Transformation of 12 into 19 was accomplished via a five-step reaction sequence. The reaction of 19 with the lithium alkoxide of 2-lithio-2-propenol afforded (+)-7-hydroxycostol (2), whose oxidation with manganese dioxide gave rise to (+)-7-hydroxycostal (1).     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Some 3-Nitroglucopyranosyladenine Analogues via a Nitroolefin: Intermediate as Potential Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

Three isomers of 9-(4,6-O-benzylidene-3-deoxy-β-D-hexopyranosyl) adenines (2–4) were isolated. The manno isomer 2 could be isomerized to the gluco isomer 3. The manno (2) and galacto isomer (4) were deprotected to 5 and 7, respectively. Michael addition of some organic amines and thiolates to the nitroolefin intermediate (8) gave the corresponding 2-(substituted)-3-nitro-glucopyranosides (9a-h). Compounds 9a,c,h were deprotected to 10a,c,h. Sodium azide with 8 gave the triazolo nucleoside 11, which was deprotected to 12. 2-Deoxy-3-nitro analogue 14 was also obtained.

     

Conformational behaviours of 2-substituted cyclohexanones: a complete basis set,hybrid-DFT study and NBO interpretation

The generalised anomeric effect (GAE) and gauche effect (GE) associated with donor–acceptor delocalisations, dipole–dipole interactions and total steric exchange energies (TSEE) on the conformational properties of 2-methoxy- (1), 2-methylthio- (2), 2-methylseleno- (3), 2-fluoro- (4), 2-chloro- (5) and 2-bromocyclohexanone (6) have been studied by means of ab initio and hybrid density functional theory methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. All methods used showed that the axial conformation stability increased from 2-methoxy- (1) to 2-methylselenocyclohexanone (3) and also from 2-fluoro- (4) to 2-bromocyclohexanone (6), which is in agreement with reported NMR data. The results obtained by complete basis set 4 (CBS-4), B3LYP/6-311+G** and HF/6-311+G** levels for compounds 1, 5 and 6 are very similar, but the CBS-4 results for compound 4 are not in agreement with the reported experimental data (vapour phase). The NBO analysis showed that the GAE increases from compounds 1 to 3 and also from compounds 4 to 6. The low axial conformer populations of compounds 1 and 4 can be reasonably explained by their small GAE. GE does not have significant impact on the conformational behaviours of compounds 1–6 and GAE succeeds in accounting qualitatively for the increase in the axial preferences in both series of compounds. The results showed that the calculated Δ(TSEE_eq–ax) values decrease from compounds 4 to 6 which contradicts the suggested arguments in the literature about these compounds. On the other hand, the calculated differences between the dipole moment values of the axial and equatorial conformations, Δ(μ_eq ? μ_ax), increase from compounds 1 to 2, but decrease from compounds 2 to 3 and also decrease from compounds 4 to 6. The calculated GAE values are more significant for the explanation of the conformational preferences of compounds 1–6 than the dipole–dipole repulsion effects. The correlations between the GAE, GE, dipole–dipole interactions, Wiberg Bond Index, TSEE, donor and acceptor orbital energies and occupancies, structural parameters and conformational behaviour of compounds 1–6 have been investigated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alansmia</Emphasis>, a new genus of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae) segregated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terpsichore</Emphasis>

Alansmia, a new genus of grammitid ferns is described and combinations are made for the 26 species known to belong to it. Alansmia is supported by five morphological synapomorphies: setae present on the rhizomes, cells of the rhizome scales turgid, both surfaces of the rhizome scales ciliate, laminae membranaceous, and sporangial capsules setose. Other diagnostic characters include pendent fronds with indeterminate growth, concolorous, orange to castaneous rhizome scales with ciliate or sometimes glandular margins, hydathodes often cretaceous, and setae simple, paired or stellate. The group also exhibits the uncommon characteristic of producing both trilete and apparently monolete spores, sometimes on the same plant. New combinations are made for Alansmia alfaroi, A. bradeana, A. canescens, A. concinna, A. contacta, A. cultrata, A. dependens, A. diaphana, A. elastica, A. glandulifera, A. heteromorpha, A. immixta, A. kirkii, A. lanigera, A. laxa, A. longa, A. monosora, A. reclinata, A. semilunaris, A. senilis, A. smithii, A. spathulata, A. stella var. stella, A. stella var. flava, A. turrialbae, A. variabilis, A. xanthotrichia. Lectotypifications are made for Alansmia concina, A. variabilis, Polypodium ciliare, P. flexile, and P. ovalescens. The genus is named in honor of pteridologist Alan R. Smith.     

MOLECULAR AND PHARMACOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF THE MSH-R ALLELES IN SWISS CATTLE BREEDS

ABSTRACT

The coat colour in mammals is determined by the relative amounts of eumelanin (black/brown) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow), produced in melanocytes, which are controlled by melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor (MSH-R). Melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor is activated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Stimulated MSH-R activates adenylyl cyclase (AC), thereby increasing the amount of cyclic AMP in the cell, which activates the enzyme tyrosinase resulting in eumelanin synthesis. In this study the complete coding sequences of five alleles of the MSH-R gene found in Holstein, Red Holstein, Simmental, and Brown Swiss cattle were cloned into a mammalian expression vector and transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. The expressed receptors were analyzed for their ability to increase intracellular cAMP in response to stimulation by α-MSH. The recessive red allele (e) found in Red Holstein and Simmental and the dominant black allele (E^D) found in Holstein were unresponsive to a wide range of α-MSH concentrations. Two alleles from Brown Swiss (E^d1, E^d2) and one allele found in the Simmental breed (e^f) responded to stimulation by α-MSH in a dose-dependent manner. When compared to E^d1 and E^d2, the cells transfected with the e^f MSH-R allele, however, reached the corresponding intracellular cAMP concentrations at a 10-fold higher concentration of α-MSH. In conjunction with the mode of inheritance of coat colour, the results indicate that the e MSH-R allele is a non-functional receptor, E^D is constitutively activated receptor, and E^d1 and E^d2 are hormonally activated receptors. The delay in e^f MSH-R response may explain the similarity between the e and e^f phenotypes.     

Synthesis of (±)-Muscone from Ethyl 6-Methyl-8-oxopentadecanedioate

(±)-Muscone (3-methylcyclopentadecanone) (8) was synthesized from ethyl 6-methyl-8-oxopentadecanedioate (1) in a 31.9% over-all yield. Ethylene ketal (2) of 1 was cyclized to the acyloin mixture (3) by the acyloin condensation. Reduction of 3 gave 9,9-ethylenedioxy-7-methylcyclopentadecane-1,2-diol (4) which afforded 1,2-ditosyloxy derivative (5). By detosylation according to the Tipson-Cohen procedure, 5 was converted to 9,9-ethylenedioxy-7-methylcyclopentadec-1-ene (6) which was hydrogenated to 8.     

Synthesis Of 2,2,3-Tris(Hydroxymethyl)Methylenecyclopropane Analogues Of Nucleosides

Synthesis of 2,2,3-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylenecyclopropane analogues 16a, 16b, 17a, and 17b is described. Diethyl ester of Feist's acid 18b was hydroxymethylated via carbanion formation using formaldehyde under simultaneous isomerization to cis diester to give intermediate 19. Reduction followed by acetylation gave triacetate 22. Addition of bromine afforded reagent 23, which was used for alkylation-elimination of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine to provide Z,E-isomeric mixtures of 24a and 24b. Deacetylation and separation furnished the Z-isomers 16a, 16c and E-isomers 17a, 17c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 16c and 17c gave guanine analogues 16b and 17b. None of the analogues exhibited a significant antiviral activity. Adenosine deaminase is refractory toward adenine analogues 16a and 17a.     

Design of potent fluoro-substituted chalcones as antimicrobial agents

Owing to ever-increasing bacterial and fungal drug resistance, we attempted to develop novel antitubercular and antimicrobial agents. For this purpose, we developed some new fluorine-substituted chalcone analogs (3, 4, 9–15, and 20–23) using a structure–activity relationship approach. Target compounds were evaluated for their antitubercular efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and antimicrobial activity against five common pathogenic bacterial and three common fungal strains. Three derivatives (3, 9, and 10) displayed significant antitubercular activity with IC₅₀ values of ≤16,760. Compounds derived from trimethoxy substituent scaffolds with monofluoro substitution on the B ring of the chalcone structure exhibited superior inhibition activity compared to corresponding hydroxy analogs. In terms of antimicrobial activity, most compounds (3, 9, 12–14, and 23) exhibited moderate to potent activity against the bacteria, and the antifungal activities of compounds 3, 13, 15, 20, and 22 were comparable to those of reference drugs ampicillin and fluconazole.     

An analysis of hydrophobic interactions of thymidylate synthase with methotrexate: Free energy calculations involving mutant and native structures bound to methotrexate

Since the human body for many reasons can adapt and become resistant to drugs, it is important to develop and validate computer aided drug design (CADD) methods that could help predict binding affinity changes that can result from these resistant enzymes. The free energy perturbation (FEP) methodology is the most accurate means of estimating relative binding affinities between inhibitors and protein variants. In this paper, we describe the role played by hydrophobic residues lining the active site region, particularly ⁷⁹ Ile and ¹⁷⁶ Phe, in the binding of methotrexate to the Escherichia coli (E. coli) thymidylate synthase (TS) enzyme, using the thermodynamic cycle perturbation (TCP) approach. The computed binding free energy differences on the binding of methotrexate to the native and some mutant E. coli TS structures have been compared with experimental results. Computationally, four different ‘mutations’ have been simulated on the TS enzyme with methotrexate (MTX): ⁷⁹ Ile →  ⁷⁹ Val; ⁷⁹ Ile → ⁷⁹ Ala; ⁷⁹ Ile → ⁷⁹ Leu; and ¹⁷⁶ Phe →  ¹⁷⁶ Ile. The calculated results indicate that in each of these cases, the native residues ( ⁷⁹ Ile and ¹⁷⁶ Phe) interact more favorably with methotrexate than the mutant residues and these results are corroborated by experimental measurements. Binding preference to wild type residues can be rationalized in terms of their better hydrophobic contacts with the phenyl ring of methotrexate.     

DNA sequence-specific ligands: XIV. Synthesis of fluorescent biologically active dimeric bisbenzimidazoles DB(3, 4, 5, 7, 11)

Five fluorescent symmetrical dimeric bisbenzimidazoles DB(n) containing four 2,6-substituted benzimidazole cores and differing in the length of the oligomethylene linker between two bisbenzimidazole rings (n = 3, 4, 5, 7, 11) have been synthesized. The ability of the dimeric bisbenzimidazoles to form complexes with the double-stranded DNA has been shown by spectral methods. Upon binding to the double-stranded DNA, DB(n) are localized in the narrow groove. The data on the inhibition of the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a by DB(n) indicate that dimeric bisbenzimidazoles DB(3) and DB(11) site-specifically bind to the oligonucleotide duplex.     

Synthesis of the Fluoromethyl Derivatives of Carbocyclic Oxetanocin A

Abstract

Treatment of the 2,3-di-O-benzoate 1 with sodium boronhydride mainly afforded the 3-O-benzoate 2 accompanied with isomers 3a,b and fully deprotected product 4. Compound 2 was converted to 5, from which 8 was obtained. The 1-cyclobutanols 8 and 5 were successfully condensed with 6-chloropurine by Mitsunobu reaction to give 9 and 11, respectively. After partial deprotection, the cyclobutyl nucleosides 10 and 15 were subjected to fluorination using DAST to afford the fluoromethyl analogs 12 and 16 from which target compounds 14 and 17 were obtained in good yields, respectively.

     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some new N4-substituted isatin-3-thiosemicarbazones

A new series of 12 N⁴-substituted isatin-3-thiosemicarbazones 2a-l has been synthesized, characterized and screened for in vitro cytotoxic, phytotoxic and urease inhibitory effects. All the compounds proved to be active in the brine shrimp bioassay; 2a, 2b, 2d, 2f and 2h-l exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity (LD₅₀ = 1.10 × 10^{? 5} M–3.10 × 10^{? 5} M). In urease-inhibition assay, compounds 2a, 2b, 2e, 2f, 2h-j and 2l proved to be potent inhibitors displaying relatively much greater inhibition of the enzyme with IC₅₀ values ranging from 20.6 μM to 50.6 μM. Amongst these, 2a and 2f were found to be the most potent ones exhibiting pronounced inhibition with IC₅₀ value 20.6 μM. All the synthetic compounds showed weak to moderate (10–40%) phytotoxicity at the highest tested concentration (500 μg/mL) indicating their usefulness as inhibitors of soil ureases.     

A Practical and Stereospecific Approach to the Synthesis of 3′-Deoxy-2′,3′-didehydrothymidine (D4T)

Abstract

Starting with D-glucose, 5-t-butyldimethylsilyl-3-deoxy-D-arabinose (5) was prepared. Condensation of 5 with cyanamide followed by reaction of the resulting oxazoline 6 with methyl-2-formylpropionate furnished the anhydronucleoside 7. t-Butoxide elimination of 7 gave the target compound in moderate yields due to concomitant 1′,2′-double bond formation. However, phenylselenolate and phenylthiolate opened 7 regiospecifically to the corresponding seleno and thio compounds, 10 and 11, respectively. Oxidative elimination of 10 and the pivaloyl derivative 12 gave 5′-t-butyldimethylsilyl (8) and 5′-pivaloyl (13) D₄T in excellent yield.     

Complete basis set,hybrid-DFT study and NBO interpretation of conformational analysis of 2-methoxytetrahydropyran and its thiopyran and selenopyran analogues in relation to the anomeric effect

2-Methoxytetrahydropyran (1), -thiopyran (2) and -selenopyran (3) have been chosen as model compounds to investigate the origin of the anomeric effect (AE). The impacts of the hyperconjugation, electrostatic and steric interactions on the conformational preferences of compounds 1–3 have been analysed by means of complete basis set-4, hybrid-density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311+G**) based methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) interpretation. Both levels of theory showed that the axial conformations of compounds 1–3 are more stable than their equatorial conformations. The Gibbs free energy difference (G _eq–G _ax) values (i.e. ΔG _eq–ax) between the axial and equatorial conformations increase from compound 1 to compound 2 but decrease from compound 2 to compound 3. Based on the NBO results obtained, the AE associated with the electron delocalisation [i.e. Σ(endo-AE_eq + exo-AE_eq) ? Σ(endo-AE_ax + exo-AE_ax)] increase slightly from compound 1 to compound 2 but decrease from compound 2 to compound 3. Similar trend is also observed for the differences between the calculated total steric exchange energy values [i.e. Δ(TSEE)_eq–ax]. On the other hand, the calculated differences between the dipole moment values of the axial and equatorial conformations [i.e. Δ(μ_eq–μ_ax)] decrease from compound 1 to compound 3. These findings led to the proposal that the AE associated with the electron delocalisation (the hyperconjugation effect) is more significant for the explanation of the conformational preferences of compounds 1–3 than the electrostatic model. The correlations between the AE associated with the electron delocalisation, bond orders, TSEE, ΔG _eq–ax, dipole–dipole interactions, structural parameters and conformational behaviours of compounds 1–3 have been investigated.     

Synthesis of L-3′-Hydroxymethylribonucleosides

Abstract

The target compounds were synthesized via the key intermediate carbohydrate 8, which was synthesized by first selectively protecting the 1′ - and 2′- hydroxyl groups followed by selective tosylation of the 5′ -hydroxyl group to obtain compound 3. The tosyl moiety was then replaced by a benzyl ether to obtain 4. Compound 4 underwent Dess-Martin oxidation to afford the ketone 5. Compound 5 was subjected to Wittig olefination to afford the alkene 6 followed by regioselective hydroboration to obtain 7. Compound 7 was fully acetylated using acetic acid, acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid to obtain the key intermediate 8.     

New triterpene oligoglycosides from the Caribbean sponge Erylus formosus

Seven new triterpene glycosides, erylosides R₁ (1), T₁ (3), T₂ (4), T₃ (5), T₄ (6), T₅ (7), and T₆ (8) along with the known formoside (2) were isolated from the sponge Erylus formosus collected along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Glycoside 1 was determined as a trisaccharide, glycoside 2 as a tetrasaccharide while glycosides 3–8 were hexasaccharide. Their carbohydrate chains were unprecedented and have never been found in oligosaccharides from other biological sources, except Erylus spp. Three carbohydrate chains in the glycosides 3 and 6, 4 and 7, 5 and 8 correspondingly are new. The glycosides 1–5 have penasterol as aglycone while glycosides 6–8 proved to be glycoconjugates of 24-methylene-14-carboxy-lanost-8(9)-en-3β-ol.     

Miscellaneous mistletoe notes, 48–60: Descriptions of twelve new species of Loranthaceae and Viscaceae

Twelve new South American species of Loranthaceae (Aetanthus, Cladocolea, Oryctanthus, and Struthanthus) and Viscaceae (Dendrophthora and Phoradendron) are described and illustrated: Aetanthus trifolius, Cladocolea rostrifolia, Dendrophthora lanceolata, Dendrophthora rotundata, Dendrophthora tenuis, Dendrophthora werffii, Oryctanthus minor, Phoradendron pascoi, Phoradendron vasquezianum, Struthanthus apiculatus, Struthanthus schultesii, and Struthanthus sessiliflorus. Additionally, Cladocolea alternifolia, previously thought to be probably extinct, is reported to occur on Ilha Grande, just west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.     

Novel steroidal saponins from Dioscorea esculenta (Togedokoro)

Fifteen steroidal saponins 1–15, which include 4 furostanol glycosides 1–3 and 15, and 11 spirostanol glycosides 4–14, were isolated from the tubers and leaves of lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta, Togedokoro). Their structures were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy. Four steroidal saponins 9, 11, 14, and 15 were found to be novel compounds.